TV5 partners with Netflix

TV5 Network Inc. has partnered with streaming service Netflix for the broadcast of its original shows.

Following the partnership, TV5 is considering the production of more entertainment, news and sports content to boost its revenues.

In a statement, TV5 said Netflix recently acquired the rights to stream AMO, a show set against the backdrop of President Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.

“TV5’s partnership with Netflix shows that the network is capable of producing high quality programs that can be showcased to a wider audience worldwide,” Mellanie Yazon-Tolentino, TV5 first vice president – head of content and programming said.

AMO which would be available starting April 9, is the first 12 episode mini-series from the Philippines to be streamed on Netflix.

Directed by Brillante Mendoza, AMO is about a high school student named Joseph who starts out as a “shabu” peddler and later on, becomes caught in the circle of drug lords, and corrupt cops and government officials.

“We at TV5 are excited to finally be able to share AMO with everyone. Brillante has done a beautiful job in bringing paper to life, and the show’s acquisition provides an additional platform to help share the first-ever Filipino series on Netflix to a worldwide audience,” TV5 president Vincent “Chot” Reyes said.

As quality shows can bring in revenues for the company, Tolentino said TV5 is working on more entertainment content.

“Depending on how AMO will be received by the worldwide audience, TV5 is open to the idea of producing more entertainment content on top of its high rating sports content,” she added.

TV5 has repositioned itself as a sports and news channel by partnering with ESPN as it anticipates more advertising revenues.

Under the partnership with ESPN entered into last year, Sports 5 has been rebranded as ESPN 5 to encompass all the sports coverage of TV5.

The partnership also gives TV5 more than 2,500 hours of additional programming per year from its portfolio of sports rights, original programming and studio programs.

Reyes said earlier, he is optimistic about the company’s prospects this year and next year given continuing improvement in earnings.

TV5 posted a 43 percent growth in revenues last year compared to 2016.

“We are looking at 50 percent growth target this year versus last year. If we’re able to achieve that growth rate this year, that would lead to breakeven by end of next year,” Reyes said.